Abstract:
The dissertation entitled The Guidelines of Communication for Disseminating Buddhism Through Online Social Media of Monks in Thai Society consisted of three objectives: 1) to study concepts and theories of community and social media; 2) to study the processes and methods for disseminating Buddhism of the present Thai monks; and 3) to propose the guidelines of communication for disseminating Buddhism through online social media of monks in Thai society. The study applied a qualitative research method by means of an in-depth interview. The results of the study found that the dissemination of Buddhism through social media of monks in Thai society refers to the exposition of Dhamma in various formsby relying on the conditions of environment, individual, and objects, including a group, custom, and habit. It is a way to expound the Dhamma for people to understand more clearly, especially the growth of technology and information at the present has made online communication, whether it is Facebook or Youtube, take a role in disseminating the Dhamma in which Buddhists can listen to it online.
Online communication is an exchange of meaning of more than 2 persons, which takes place or causes mutual understanding when both sides share the same perception, needs, and attitudes. The process of exchanging information and understanding between two persons or a group of people can only take place when there is information as an important component which can be in various forms. The dissemination of Buddhism refers to the discourse of Dhamma which was enlightened by the Buddha to those who respect him through various methods. It is considered the direct duty of Buddhists to disseminate Buddhism through concepts and methods laid down by the Buddha as follows: 1) Sākacchāor discussion; 2) Lecturing; 3) Solving questing; and 4) Laying down of regulations and rules. All of which are the methods or techniques for teaching.
The processes of communicating the Dhamma in an online world whether it be the messenger, media, channel, and receiver, all play an important role. The dissemination of Buddhism through social media must be moral, ethical and does not distort the Dhamma based on the Tipitaka in order to maintain Buddhism. It is the borderless communication, that is, the receiving of news that is fast and up to date, whether it is Facebook or Youtube. It is another option for people to get access to the Buddhadhamma easily, broadly, and not limited by time or place.
The guidelines for communication are very important to the lives of monks. Their various activities must rely on communication as a main factor; therefore, the messengers must have credibility. The dissemination of Buddhism through social media of monks, both Facebook and Youtube, usually uses photos or clip videos with an insert of Dhamma and its explanation in order for the receivers to understand more easily and there is the use of language that is contemporary, which considered as the application of the Buddhadhamma with the needs of the receivers.
Therefore, the guidelines of communication for disseminating Buddhism through online social media of monks in Thai society must be in the form of visual media and audiovisual. There must also contain an important component of a model for communicating the Buddhadhamma, that is, the Dhamma contents that are accurate, modern, and useful for the receivers. It must also be made easy to understand. A model for communication the Buddhadhamma must be according to the intention that wants to disseminate the Dhamma in an accurate and useful manner: 1) The messengers must have communication skills. Both messengers and receivers must be skillful in sending and receiving in order to have a correct understanding of each other; 2) The contents for applying or integrating with social media must contain the Dhamma that supports or motivates Buddhists to practice i.e., Diṭṭhadhammikattha (benefits obtainable here and now), Samparāyikattha (the good to be won in the life to come), and Paramattha (the final goal or Nibbāna). All of which are beneficial to oneself and the society; 3) The channels for communicating the Buddhadhamma are Facebook and Youtube, the popular platforms at present that must have principles in directing credible and practical information; and 4) The receivers must have feedback to the messengers or forward the messages to other receivers. The receivers must have a good attitude to others opinions in communicating the Dhamma.